Toy device



Feb. 16, 1965 Filed Oct. 26, 1962 F. H. ROYCE TOY DEVICE 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Fr 6 c/ /7( R0 c e INVENTOR.

WVWM Feb. 16, 1965 F. H. ROYCE 3,

TOY DEVICE Filed Oct. 26, 1962 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Free H. Royce INVENTOR.

United States Patent 3,169,764 TQY DEVICE Fred H. Royce, 5903 Glenhurst, Houston 33, Tex. Filed Oct. 26, 1962, Ser. No. 233,484 4 Ciaims. {65. 272-4) The present invention relates to a toy device, and more particularly, to a toy hobbyhorse which can be used as a noise making toy.

The present invention has for its primary object a toy device of relatively simple construction which can be used as a hobbyhorse and when held in one position will make a noise and when held by the user in another position will move along easily over the earths surface.

The description and drawings illustrate the invention and in the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a side view showing a form of the invention in its position for moving along the surface of the earth;

FIG. 2 is a sectional view an the line 2-2 of FIG. 1 to more clearly illustrate the arrangement of one part of the bracket means on the device;

FIG. 3 is a sectional View on the line 3-3 of FIG. 1 to further illustrate the arrangement of the bracket on the device;

FIG. 4 is a sectional view on the line 4-4 of FIG. 1 to show the manner of connecting a portion of the animals head represented in FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is an enlarged view showing the support arrangement for the jaw of the animal representation of FIG. 1;

FIG. 6 is a side view showing an alternate form of the invention in position for moving along the surface of the earth so as to make noise;

FIG. 7 is a sectional view on the line 7-7 of FIG. 6 of the head mounted on the device and illustrating the arrangement of the eyes in the head to enable movement or reciprocation thereof as the device is moved over the earths surface;

FIG. 8 is a sectional view on the line 8-8 of FIG. 6 and illustrates in greater detail the arrangement of the wheels on the body of the device which assist in making noise when the body is held so that it frictionally engages with the earths surface and is moved therealong and which support the body for movement over the earths surface when the body is held in a difficult position as it is moved over the earths surface;

FIG. 9 is a side view illustrating the relationship of the body to the earths surface when it is moved there'over so that the wheels engage the earths surface and roll therealong;

FIG. 10 is a partial side view illustrating still another embodiment of the invention; and

FIG. 11 is a sectional view illustrating still another embodiment of the present invention.

Attention is directed to FIG. 1 0f the drawings wherein a form of the invention is shown as comprising an elongated body 7, which body is of sufiicient length so that it will extend upwardly a suitable distance whereby the handle may be grasped by the hand of a user, whether it be a child or an adult, so that the elongated body 7 may be moved along the surface of the earth 8. As the body 7 is moved along the surface S of the earth, the body 7 will reciprocate up and down due to the frictional engagement between the lower end 9 of the body and the earths surface 8, thus producing a noise.

In order to accommodate the free vertical reciprocating movement of the body 7 relative to the means 25, suitable means for connecting or supporting the handle means on the body 7 are provided. In the form of the invention shown in FIG. 1, bracket means indicated generally by the numeral it is positioned on the body so as to support the 3,l69,74 Patented Feb. 16, 1965 body 7 during its up and down movement, and also it is arranged to engage and support the body so that it will not interfere with the free reciprocating movement of the body 7 as the device is moved along over the earths surface 8.

In order to accomplish this function, a longitudinally extending slot 11 is provided in the upper end of the body 7, the slot 11 extending for a suitable distance longitudinally of the body 7, and preferably for a distance not greater than one-half the total length of the body 7.

As shown in FIG. 2 of 'the drawing, the body 7 is illustrated as being rectangular in cross-section, and the slot 11 is shown as extending longitudinally and centrally of the body 7. The bracket means 14 is generally U- shaped as shown in the drawings and includes the legs 13 and 14 which are connected together by the base portion 15, the base of the U-shaped member extending rearwardly as illustrated in FIG. 1 of the drawings whereby the handle 25 may be secured to the base 15 of the bracket means it). The leg 13 is engaged in the slot 11, and the leg 14 is engaged with the body 7, as illustrated in FIGS. 1, 2, and 3 of the drawings. It is to be noted that the leg 13 extends through the slot 11 and encircles the body portion 7a by means of the loop 17 formed in the end of the leg. The loop 17 is much larger than the body portion 7a so that the body portion 7a may move freely relative to the loop 17 as the body 7 moves up and down during frictional engagement of the lower end 9 thereof with the surface of the earth 8.

It is to be further noted that the width of the loop portion 17a extendin through the slot 11 is smaller than the width of the slot to further aid in free relative movement between the body 7 and the bracket means 10 as the body moves up and down.

Similarly, the leg 14 is provided with a loop 18 which encircles the body 7, and it is to be noted that from FIG. 3 of the drawings the loop 18 is substantially larger than the body 7 so that it also offers a minimum of frictional resistance to the body 7 as the body 7 moves up and down through the loop 18.

As shown in FIG. 1 of the drawings, there may be provided on the upper end of the body 7 an additional noise maker in any suitable representation as desired, the representation being in the form of a horsehead 19 as illus trated in FIG. 1 of the drawings. The horsehead 19 is provided with a lower jaw 20 which is loosely connected to the upper jaw 21 of the horsehead 19 by means of the pins 22 on each side thereof in each the lower jaw 20 and the upper jaw 21, as better seen in FIG. 4, and the bracket 23 extending between each of the pins 22.

It is contemplated that the pins 22 on the lower and upper jaws 2i and 21 will be positioned longitudinally along the jaws at a position so that the lower jaw 20 is more or less balanced in its relationship to the upper jaw 21 of the horsehead 1.9.

It can be appreciated that as the body 7 is moved along the earths surface, the lower jaw 20 will move up and down at its front and rear ends, thus contacting the upper jaw 21 to provide additional noise from the device.

irregularities in the earths surface or in streets or sidewalks will cause the body 7 to move up and down with substantial rapidity depending upon the rate of movement that is effected on the elongated body 7 relative to the earths surface. It is preferable that the body 7 be tilted slightly rearwardly as shown in FIG. 1 of the drawings during use so that only the lower rear edge of the lower end 9 of the body 7 contacts the earths surface as shown in FIG. 1 of the drawings whereby the frictional engagement of the elon ated body 7 with the earths surface will cause the body 7 to reciprocate up and down in the bracket 1%. The bracket 10 can be grasped by the handle areas/ea enables the body 7 to be comfortably held in the desired tilted position as the user moves it along the earths surface.

As previously noted, the hobbyhorse of the present invention may be used as a noise maker when frictionally propelled over the earths surface in the manner as above described. FIGS. 6-9, inclusive, illustrate another form of the invention wherein the hobbyhorse is not only illustrated as being capable of use as a noisemaker, but is also constructed and arranged so that it can be moved over the earths surface on wheels when the body is held in a different position in relation to the surface over which it is propelled.

In FIG. 6 of the drawings, the horsehead is again rep resented by the numeral 19, which horsehead is provided with a lower jaw 2% and an upper jaw 21 as previously described. The horseh'ead as shown in FIG. 6 also includes eyes represented generally by the numeral 30 in FIG. 7 of the drawings, there being an eye 31 and an eye 32 on each side of the horsehead 19. The eyes 31 and 32 are supported on the axle 33 which extends through the slot 34 in the horsehead 19, such slot being of greater longitudinal extent than the diameter of the axle 33 as better illustrated in FIG. 7 of the drawings. Thus, as the device is held in the position as shown in FIGS. 1 and 6 of the drawings and frictionally propelled along a sidewalk pavement or the earths surface, the eyes will reciprocate up and down, thus lending reality and amusement in use of the device. Also, the eyes are free to reciprocate relative to the horsehead 19 when it is moved along on wheels 40 as described hereinafter.

As previously noted and as shown in FIGS. 1 and 6 of the drawings, when the present invention is to be used as a noise maker, it is preferably in the general position illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 6 of the drawings which is in a plane inclined slightly rearwardly of the vertical relative to the earths surface or pavement or other surface along which the device is propelled. When it is desired to move along on the device more rapidly, the user may desire to mount the elongated body 7 and ride it as a hobbyhorse. In order to facilitate use of the device in this manner, the lower end 9 of the device is provided with wheels illustrated generally by the numeral 4% in FIG. 8 of the drawings. As illustrated in FIG. 8, a Wheel 41 and a wheel 42 may be provided on each side of the body 7, the wheels being connected together by the axle 43 which extends therebetween and through the slot or hole 44 formed in the lower end 9 of the body 7.

It is to be noted that the longitudinal extent of the slot or opening 44 is greater than the diameter of the axle 43 so that when the body 7 is tilted in the rearward plane as illustrated in FIG. 6 of the drawings, the wheels may thereby be moved up out of engagement with the surface over which the device is moving or at least do not interfere with the contact of the lower end of the body and the surface therebetween when it is desired to utilize the noise making properties of the device. Also, the Wheels 42 and 43 will also reciprocate up and down as the device is moved over the earths surface lending further effect and noise and amusement in the use of the device.

However, when the body 7 is inclined so that it in effect forms an acute angle with the surface over which the body 7 is moved, the wheels 42 and 43 will then engage with the surface represented by the numeral 8 so that the device can then be quickly and easily moved along over the surface.

Attention is directed to the manner of connecting the handle means represented generally by the numeral 25 which the shaft 52 extends.

with the body 7 in the form of the invention shown in FIG. 6 of the drawings. It will be noted that the manner of connection includes the spaced brackets 48 and 49 which form loops 5% and 51 at their outer ends through Thehandle means 25 is secured to the shaft 52 and enables the device to be grasped as it is moved or pulled over the earths surface.

In order to maintain proper alignment of the horsehead 19 relative to the direction of movement, the loops 5%) and 51 may be rectangular in configuration and the shaft 52 may be of'rectangular configuration and loosely fitting through each of the rectangular loops Sit and 51 thereby preventing turning or rotating of the shaft 52 as the device is moved along over the earths surface.

In the form of the invention shown in FIG. 10, the body '7 is again illustrated, and in FIG. 10 it is of rectangular form in cross-section. A rectangular means or member illustrated at 5% is mounted on the body '7 and fits loosely therewith to accommodate free relative reciprocating movement between the body 7 and the means 50 as the body 7 is moved along over the earths surface in the manner heretofore described. The handle means repre sented generally by the numeral 25 is secured to the member 50, and thus the handle means may be grasped and the body moved along over the earths surface to accomplish the effect heretofore described. In the form of the invention shown in FIGS. 10 and ll, the wheels on the lower end of the body 7 may be eliminated as illustrated in FIG. 1 of thedrawings or it may be provided with wheels as shown in FIG. 6.

In FIG. ll, the member 58a is shown as being circular to conform with the circular body 7a. When the body 7a and member Ella are of this form, it is preferable that suitable means as illustrated generally at 52 be provided to inhibit relative rotation between the member 50 and the body 7a as it is moved along over the earths surface. For example, as illustrated in FIG. 11 of the drawings, the member Slla is shown as being provided with a longitudinally extending slot 53, and there being a pin 54 mounted in the body 7a and extending into the slot 53. Thus, the member 56a and body 7a may reciprocate freely relative to each other as the body 7a is moved along over the earths surface, but relative rotation therebetween is prevented so as to maintain the horsehead 19 in proper or desired alignment as the body 7a is moved over the earths surface. The handle means again re ferred to generally by the numeral 25 is connected to the member Slla to enable the device to be grasped by a user as it is moved along over the earths surface.

It can be appreciated that in the form of the invention shown in FIG. 1 of the drawings, the wheel arrangement illustrated generally by the numeral 40 and described with regard to FIG. 6 may be provided on the lower end of the form of the invention shown in FIG. 1 of the drawings.

The present invention provides a toy of relatively simple construction which can be used as a noise maker when held in one position and when held in the other position provides a hobbyhorse with movable jaws and movable eyes.

This application isa continuation-in-part of Serial No. 146,124 filed October 19, 1961.

Broadly, the present invention relates to a hobbyhorse, and more particularly to a hobbyhorse which when held in one position functions as a noise maker as well as a hobbyhorse and when held in another position provides a hobbyhorse which has movable jaws and movable eyes and is constructed and arranged so as to withstand substantial use and abuse.

What is claimed is:

1. A noise maker toy including an elongated body having a lower end to engage the earths surface, a slot in the upper end of said body and extending longitudinally insaid body for a distance less than one-half the total length of said body, a U-shaped bracket having one leg thereof loosely encircling said body to accommodate free longitudinal movement between said body and said bracket leg, and the other leg of said bracket loosely fitting in said slot and loosely encircling only a portion of said body, and handle means on said bracket whereby the lower end of said body may be frict ionally propelled along the ground by a user grasping the handle and moving said body along in front of the user whereby said body may jump up and down as it is moved along over the earths surface.

2. A noise maker toy including an elongated body having a lower end to engage the earths surface, a slot in the upper end of said body and extending longitudinally in said body, a U-shaped bracket having one leg thereof loosely encircling said body to accommodate free longitudinal movement between said body and said bracket leg, and the other leg of said bracket loosely fitting in said slot and loosely encircling only a portion of said body, and handle means on said bracket whereby the lower end of said body may be frictionally propelled along the ground by a user grasping the handle and moving said body along in front of the user whereby said body may jump up and down as it is moved along over the earths surface.

3. A toy device including an elongated body, handle means for holding said body to move it along over the earths surface, means connecting said handle means to said body to accommodate relative reciprocating movement between said body and handle means as said body is frictionally propelled along over the earths surface, said connecting means between said handle and body comprising means mounted on said body and slidable a 1 0 relative thereto as said body is propelled along over the earths surface, and said handle means being secured to said means mounted on said body for grasping and holding as the device is frictionally propelled over the earths surface.

4. A toy device including an elongated body, handle means for holding said body to move it along over the earths surface, means connecting said handle means to said body to accommodate relative reciprocating movement between said body and handle means as said body is frictionally propelled along over the earths surface, said connecting means between said handle and body comprising means mounted on said body and slidable relative thereto as said body is propelled along over the earths surface, said handle means being secured to said means mounted on said body for grasping and holding as the device is frictionally propelled over the earths surface, and projection means extending between said body and said means slidably mounted thereon for maintaining a predetermined axial alignment therebetween.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,081,168 Sutlire Dec. 9, 1913 2,519,489 McDevitt Aug. 22, 1950 2,648,160 Van Voorhis Aug. 11, 1953 2,709,589 Zubler et al. May 31, 1955 2,840,377 Jenks June 24, 1958 2,940,755 Pouder June 14, 1960 

1. A NOISE MAKER TOY INCLUDING AN ELONGATED BODY HAVING A LOWER END TO ENGAGE THE EARTH''S SURFACE, A SLOT IN THE UPPER END OF SAID BODY AND EXTENDING LONGITUDINALLY IN SAID BODY FOR A DISTANCE LESS THAN ONE-HALF THE TOTAL LENGTH OF SAID BODY, A U-SHAPED BRACKET HAVING ONE LEG THEREOF LOOSELY ENCIRCLING SAID BODY TO ACCOMMODATE FREE LONGITUDINAL MOVEMENT BETWEEN SAID BODY AND SAID BRACKET LEG, AND THE OTHER LEG OF SAID BRACKET LOOSELY FITTING IN SAID SLOT AND LOOSELY ENCIRCLING ONLY A PORTION 